Microsoft Alters Policy on Facial-Recognition Investments

Move includes selling minority stake in Israeli startup AnyVision

Maria Armental

Microsoft Corp. has decided to no longer hold minority interests in companies that sell facial-recognition technology, a policy change that follows a controversial investment in Israeli startup AnyVision.

On Friday, Microsoft said it would sell its minority stake in AnyVision in implementing a new investment policy for companies that sell facial-recognition technology, since minority stakes don’t “generally allow for the level of oversight or control that Microsoft exercises over the use of its own technology.”